Christmas Favorites

I just wanted to share some of my favorite moments from Christmas this past year. So in no particular order...

We made yummy chocolate/peppermint dipped marshmallows that added a fun and delicious flare to our homemade hot chocolate. Gregory's girlfriend Makenna and Grant helped me in the kitchen while Gatlin snapped some photos.

I have probably spent way too much time on Pinterest since I was introduced to it this year but I love some of the results of that time spent. The black pedestal bowl started out as an old brown bowl and a separate wood candle holder. I glued them together and spray painted them black. I also did this for some Christmas gifts. I love how they turned out. I also love my trees. The gold and green ones I found at the thrift store (my new favorite place to shop) and the red one I made.  

This year when we attended our Stake's nativity display we made sure and got our picture taken. Our family was a little sparse but it was still fun to dress up and pretend to be at that very important event that is the birth of our Savior. It, along with the thousands of nativities, helped us to remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas every year.

At day care we made our own little nativities. The children colored and cut out all the people and animals along with a manger and stable. I helped them glue and tape them together. Then we watched a short video about the birth of the Savior so they would understand why we had just made what we did. Since I state in my business policy that I run a Christian day care and we celebrate Christian holidays I can do this. The kids really enjoyed this project. Grant's lasted until Christmas Eve when Benton tore off two of the peoples heads. I guess we'll be doing this again next year. 

And speaking of Benton...of course one of our favorite times this Christmas was having him and Bailie with us. Their family came over for Christmas Eve. Unfortunately the babies were both sick with colds so they weren't feeling too well but we still enjoyed having them and their parents back home with us. 

Grant and Gatlin both asked for Halo toys this year. They love putting them together (they are like Lego) and then playing with them. Dale thinks it's strange that a 16 year old still plays with toys but what else is he going to ask for? We won't buy him what most kids his age are getting...cell phones, Ipads, cars, so that pretty much leaves toys. He did get a new book and pajamas too.  I'm not going to complain that my kid still wants to be a kid. I know how fast they grow up and believe me I am not ready to have to be worrying about another adult child and all the issues that come with one. I'm perfectly happy having him ask for toys for Christmas.

Gregory only asked for one thing this year and that was a Soda Stream. When he told me about it and we looked it up online I thought it was such a stupid thing. I told him I wasn't getting that for him so he better come up with some other ideas. Later I decided I would get him one. The kid never asks for anything, ever, so if this is what he wanted than he would get it. He loves it. He uses it every day and has enjoyed trying out all the different flavors. I'm glad I decided his gift was more about what he wanted and not about what I thought he should have.

Gordon on the other hand is always eager to email me a list of what he would like for Christmas and his birthday. I am so grateful that he does. It is some times so difficult for me to figure out what to get the boys. Girls are so much easier to buy for. Anyway on his list he had a Florida Gators Pillow Pet so he got one. He was like a little kid on Christmas morning when he opened that thing. He loves it. When he gives Gatlin a bad time about still asking for toys he justifies his "toy" as being a pillow AND a pet so it is okay to be 25 and asking for one.  lol

Gordon surprised me with the cook pot I had wanted. I have a large one and wanted a smaller one to go with it but Dale told me the store was out of them so I just forgot about it. What a great surprise when I opened my gift from Gordon on Christmas morning and there was my new "baby" pot.

Catherine was pretty pleased with her gifts too. I got her a knit jacket and some silver earrings. Grant bought her a pretty scarf and we are going to buy her a gym membership. That is what she is most excited about.

Because Dale has been running and dieting he has lost quite a bit of weight and needed some new slacks and belts to fit is new trim waste line.  I also got him a new toolbox since his is an old metal one and was rusting apart.

Catherine got a very special gift from her Grandma Brown this year. Grandma has always worn a diamond pendant that used to be her mothers. She and her siblings gave it to her mom for her 50th wedding anniversary gift. Well Catherine was given that pendant for Christmas and was told the story about it and how Grandma would like her to some day pass it down to one of her daughters or grand daughters. Of course this was a very touching moment for all of us to watch.

What could make our Christmas more special than to watch little Miss Balie giving her great grandma hugs and kisses? Not all the gifts in the world are more precious than that.

Grandpa Dale found joy in sharing one of his childhood experiences with Benton. Waiting, in anticipation, for the little bird to show itself when the Cuckoo clock struck on the hour. Grandpa helped Benton say the words, "I want to see the bird" and then they waited and waited until the bird popped out.  

The kids exclaimed, on Christmas morning, that this was the best Christmas ever! I'm glad that our humble gifts can put smiles on my children's faces because they know they have been given with love. It was a wonderful Christmas season spent with loved ones. We spent the day after Christmas with my extended family and that was fun too. The kids had a good time playing pool, eating and visiting. We played Minute To Win It again but for some reason the kids weren't really in to it as much this year so I don't know if we will do it again. Maybe we'll start up a new tradition next year.